admin
ZIMBABWE’s sugar cane output is projected to grow 9 percent to 4 550 000 tonnes in 2014 up from this year’s 4 159 034 tonnes driven mainly by hectrage planted as well as resumption of operations at Chisumbanje Ethanol plant.In 2013, total hectrage planted totalled 44 818 ha whilst improvements in water availability for irrigation has resulted to 50 000 ha of the cane planted in the 2014 season.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa last week said in his Budget presentation though the country’s average sugar cane production has been improving of late.
“Although Zimbabwe’s average sugar cane yield over the last three years is at par with the global average of 85 tonness/ha, yields are improving,” he said.
He said in 2013, output was targeted to increase 6 percent from an area of about 44 818ha attributed to an increase in area planted by major producers.
Potential production, Chinamasa said, however, was adversely affected by the unavailability of water for irrigation following another poor rain season that saw most dams water level dropping drastically.
“Further,” he said: “The introduction of water rationing schemes to sugar cane farmers by the Water Resources Development and Management Agency due to critically low levels in Lake Mutirikwi, has also affected capacity to irrigate the crop.”
Among major players in the sugar cane industry includes Hippo Valley, Triangle and many other small holder farmers.
Meanwhile, industry players are earmarking at least 100 000ha of sugar cane by the year 2025. — FinX.
Online Reporter